Racing: Busuttin hopes for Anzac Day St Leger gift

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It would seem almost impossible to find a bigger lift from the extremely moderate field Gifted Lad defeated at Rotorua last week to a semi-stakes race in Melbourne, but that hasn't deterred Trent Busuttin.

The Cambridge trainer has declared Gifted Lad for Saturday's A$200,000 St Leger at Flemington and is more than happy to be there.

In Gifted Lad's favour, he was in a class of his own against an ordinary Rotorua line-up.

"There were a few things to admire about that win, despite the class of the opposition," says Busuttin.

"It was nearly eight weeks since he'd raced, he was fresh over a middle distance and he won by a margin."

Busuttin said the St Leger had been on the stable's radar for some time.

"He ran below his best in the Derby at Ellerslie, but it might have come up a bit quick for him.

"He's had a nice freshen and he's ready to go."

The Melbourne St Leger has traditionally been for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds, but is now restricted to 3-year-olds.

"When you go through the form they are one- and two-win horses like him that run extreme distances, so he's going to be competitive.

"If he fires up he will run in the South Australian Derby and if he doesn't he can come home, have a spell and get ready for the spring."

Busuttin and training partner Natalie Young are delighted with the progress of El Roca, who galloped between races at Ellerslie on Saturday with Huka Eagle.

The latter is a much fitter horse and at the end of the 1000m gallop had it on El Roca, who was big in condition and blew heavily afterwards. "That gallop dropped 8kg off him and he's trimming up nicely for a Queensland campaign," said Busuttin.

"By the time he's had a Te Teko barrier trial he'll be fit enough to run in the BTC Cup in Brisbane, then he'll be at his real peak for his second run."

Plans are for El Roca to run in the Doomben 10,000 and then the Stradbroke Hcp.